[Incidence of the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi in arthropods (Arthropoda) and antibodies in vertebrates (Vertebrata)]

Abstract

The paper summarizes data on hitherto assembled findings of Spirochaeta burgdorferi, the causal agent of Lyme disease in arthropods and the incidence of antibodies in birds and mammals. The authors evaluate some vectors and reservoir animals, incl. possible carriers. Borrelia burgdorferi was found so far in 30 species of Arthropoda, 13 species of mites (Acarina), 15 species of flies(Diptera), two species of fleas (Siphonaptera). The role of insects as vectors was not proved so far. Antibodies were detected in eight species of birds (Aves, Passeriformes) and in 22 mammalian species: one species of marsupiales (Marsupialia), 3 species of carnivores (Carnivora), seven species of rodents (Rodentia), two species of rabbits and hares (Lagomorpha), in 8 species of even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla) and one species of odd-toed ungulates (Perissodactyla). The great majority of species comes from the non-arctic area.